AI Tech Stack for Biz Plan, Pitch Deck, etc?

September 16, 2025

by a searcher from California State Polytechnic University - Pomona in Pomona, CA, USA

I’d love to hear how others here are integrating and leveraging AI when brainstorming a new venture or acquisition, as well as when building out business plans, pitch decks, one-pagers, etc. To clarify, I’m less interested in heavy deal analysis and more in how you’re using these tools to create and work through new projects. So far, I’ve been bouncing between Grok and ChatGPT. If I were to sum them up as “business coaches”: - Grok feels like the enthusiastic cheerleader, always asking “what if you try this?”—but the content tends to be lighter. - ChatGPT feels more like the experienced mentor, sticking to classic structure, helping you find what you need, and guiding you politely along the way. I’m also considering giving Claude a try. One challenge I’ve noticed with ChatGPT is that it tends to drip out suggestions instead of offering the full picture upfront. For example, it once offered to create a GAP analysis in Excel for a plan I was working on. It started with a simple spreadsheet, then followed up with about 10 more prompts like, “Would you like me to add XYZ?” I ended up downloading a new version after each update, until finally it suggested a much more advanced spreadsheet. It clearly knew where it was headed—so why not just offer the “super-powered” version from the start?

Reply by a searcher
from Stanford University in Lafayette, CA, USA

A lot has to do with how you set up a project, and the instructions you provide for that project. I use it all the time to analyze listings and provided consistent structured output every time I run the analysis based on themes I care about at that stage. I also provide instructions stating that I am interested in facts and analysis, not opinion or judgment, unless I ask. Not to use superlatives, emojis, etc. This provides raw information / knowledge which is IMO more useful.

Reply by a searcher
from University of Pennsylvania in Los Angeles, CA, USA

Projects are definitely a good way to go and I find there's almost always a decent custom GPT that can get you going with some good contextual grounding in the type of analysis you want to do. Another useful strategy to make sure whatever model you use is challenging your assumptions and really thinking from 1st principles vs just being your cheerleader is to use something like this: Every time I present an idea, do the following: 1. Analyze my assumptions: what am I taking for granted that might not be true? 2. Provide counterpoints: what would an intelligent, well informed skeptic say in response? 3. Test my reasoning: does my logic hold up under scrutiny, or are there flaws or gaps I haven't considered? 4. Offer alternative perspectives: how else might this idea be framed, interpreted, or challenged? 5. Prioritize truth over agreement. If I am wrong or my logic is weak, I need to know, correct me clearly and explain why. Maintain a constructive but rigorous approach. Your role is not to argue for the sake of arguing, but to push me towards greater clarity, accuracy, and intellectual honesty. If I ever start slipping into confirmation bias or unchecked assumptions, call it out directly. Let's refine not just our conclusions, but how we arrive at them.

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